Chapter 1Used Goods

My husband, a notorious neat freak, suddenly developed a passion for second-hand goods. He even joined our neighborhood’s online buy-and-sell group.

He spent his days rushing to other people's apartments, collecting all sorts of used baby items. From diapers to strollers, he crammed them into the nursery until it was overflowing.

He was so obsessed that when I collapsed from a sudden, sharp pain in my abdomen, he couldn't even be bothered to come home.

"Honey, I'm in the middle of haggling with someone," he'd said over the phone. "Just grab an Uber to the hospital, okay?"

That was the last straw.

After I was discharged, during a family dinner to discuss baby names, I announced I was getting an abortion and a divorce.

Ethan slammed his hands on the table, sending dishes crashing to the floor. He proceeded to smash everything within reach.

"Just because I was haggling and didn't drive you to the hospital? You want a divorce over that?" he roared, his face contorted with rage. "I bought all that second-hand stuff for you! Why else would I be pinching every penny like that?"

I watched him calmly, a cold smile touching my lips.

"Since you love second-hand so much," I said softly, "I'll do you the favor of becoming your second-hand wife."

* * *

"You're looking down on me for buying used things, is that it?"

"Do you have any idea how much a baby costs? Or your own recovery fees? Where do you think that money is coming from!"

"Besides, the stuff is practically new. I'll sanitize everything if you're so worried."

His eyes were bloodshot as he screamed the words at me.

Beside him, his mother shot up from her chair, her face a mask of anxiety, and grabbed my arm.

"Oh, what's all this nonsense? We're a family. No need for such angry words." She turned to her son. "Ethan, you shouldn't argue with a pregnant woman. They get emotional. You have to be more understanding."

I coldly shook her hand off me. "I am not joking. I'm serious. Let's get a divorce. There's no point in us staying together anymore."

His mother dug her nails into my arm. "Now you're just pushing it! Ethan is doing all of this for you. I've seen the things he brought home—they're all top brands!"

"Besides," she added with a sneer, "you were a bargain yourself. We got you for a bride price of ten grand, you can't just up and leave."

Even my own mother sided with them, her voice pleading.

"Eva, don't be childish. You and Ethan were together for seven years before you got married. You have a baby on the way. How can you talk about divorce?"

"Your hormones are all over the place. Why don't you come stay with me for a few days?"

My expression remained unchanged. "The courthouse, tomorrow morning. To file the papers."

The entire family erupted in anger, accusing me of being impulsive and irrational.

Only Ethan seemed to realize I was serious. His tone softened, and he tried to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Eva. I lost my temper. If you want to go stay with your mom, I understand."

"Just… don't talk about divorce so lightly. You know how hard it was for us to get here. You said it takes seven years to truly know someone, so I gave you seven years. That time, that energy… that's a huge investment for anyone."

I scoffed internally. I thought seven years was enough to see through a person. I was wrong.

"In that case," I said, my voice flat, "it's best to cut our losses now. Let's not waste any more time."

The words had barely left my mouth when my mother, who had always been so gentle, slapped me hard across the face, her own face flushed with fury.

"Eva, I have spoiled you rotten! I've let you become this selfish brat."

"Have you forgotten who bought you medicine every time you had a stomach ache? When you said you wanted a baby, Ethan immediately started consulting with doctors. I'm your mother, and even I wouldn't go to those lengths for you!"

"If you get a divorce now, what about the baby? You'll raise it yourself? Don't think for a second I'm going to help you clean up this mess."

Ethan immediately rushed to my side, gently guiding me to the sofa and pressing an ice pack to my swollen cheek. He frowned at my mother.

"Mom, you can't just hit her! It's my fault, I'm the one who made Eva upset."

A bitter smile twisted my lips. This gentle act of his had fooled me for seven years. It had fooled our entire family. The sight of it made me want to vomit. I wanted to scream the truth, but the thought of my mother's heart condition held me back.

"I'll get an abortion," I said, my voice hollow. "I don't want my child to be born into a loveless home."

Ethan froze, staring at me in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"You've always wanted a child. I… I've already bought all the baby supplies. I even booked a spot at that exclusive postpartum wellness retreat. How can you just… give up on it?"

"Eva, take your anger out on me, but don't hurt the baby."

Even his mother was panicking now.

"Eva, we can argue, but don't do something so drastic. Ethan went to so many doctors to help you conceive this child."

"Even if you two have fallen out of love, think about us! We're old, we're just waiting to hold a grandchild."

My mother was also terrified by my words. "Don't scare me like this, Eva. An abortion is so damaging to your body. Don't do something foolish."

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Ethan dropped to his knees and began slapping himself across the face.

"I'm sorry, honey. I'm so sorry I didn't take you to the hospital that day."

"But I saw this amazing breast pump, it was brand new, and I was trying to talk the price down… I just lost track of time." He was crying as he spoke, as if this were all my fault.

The family's gazes turned on me like daggers.

"Eva, what is there to be so angry about?" his mother chided. "Ethan was doing it all for you. Besides, it's not like you couldn't have called someone else. What if he wasn't home? Would you have just stayed there and not gone to the hospital?"